As for osprey pair Olive and Oliver. "For six or so years I have observed and photographed Olive and Oliver Osprey at their lake home on Lake Russell," emailed Hearsayer and fab photog Bill of Hartwell. "Their lofty home is perched high atop the Smith-McGee Bridge on the Ga./S.C. state line on Highway 181. Olive dutifully tends their nest and young while Oliver fishes to feed them. When the appointed time comes, the young are launched and another generation of osprey is airborne. They really are amazing birds. I understand they mate for life and return each spring to the same nest for Olive to lay her eggs. The best time to see them is early in the morning around sunrise." Well, by golly, thanks Mr. B, especially for the beautiful photos. But before we go, Hearsayer Will of Hartwell also reports the following osprey info: "There are at least three (osprey) families within two miles of the Smith-McGee Bridge — two on top of an old, collapsed bridge and one on a pole at the ‘Perry DeLoach and partners farm' in the Cokesbury community." Wow! Thanks to you too, Mr. W!

Hearsayers get a big hardware hooray! So last week Hearsay happened to inquire after interesting old hardware stores in these parts and pretty soon, Hearsayers from here to there tuned in with the best of the best hardware hangouts. From Hearsayer Chuck: Holland's, in Westminster, S.C. From Hearsayer Millard and Hearsayers Ginger and Thomas: Morgan's Hardware in Lavonia, Ga. From Hearsayers Jim, Laura and David: Due West Supply Company in Due West, S.C. From Hearsayer Wolf: Bivens Hardware in Pickens, S.C. And from Hearsayer Car: Pettigrew's Hardware in Calhoun Falls, S.C. Now here's what Hearsay plans to do about all this pretty good hardware poop — why, press a call on all these places and their proprietors, of course! And when Hearsay gets back home, she'll report back to all you fine Hearsayers about what she's discovered during her happy hardware hunting. So, stay tuned.

Prisoners at work or pretty nice ladies? "Hearsay," Hearsayer Joanne of Hartwell had to say, "There is an old-timey hardware store in Tignal, Ga. Full of so much stuff you can't see it all. My husband and I found some old-timey fly swatters made with wire mesh…And I saw a funny sight this morning on the way to town. The sign was out by the road that said, ‘PRISONERS AT WORK' and the next thing I saw were two garden club ladies working on a flower bed. Just struck me as funny." Strikes Hearsay as pretty funny, too! Thanks, Ms. J, and keep your eyes open for more such humorous matters.

Before we part, a p.s. to Hearsayer Betty. Hearsay would like to thank Hearsayer Betty of Anderson who recently sent Hearsay a handwritten card concerning the Southern expression "poke." "Dear Hearsay," Mrs. Betty, who is 76, began in her nice note, "A ‘poke' is what people used to call a ‘paper sack' or a ‘paper bag.' I still do sometimes. Sincerely, Betty." Now Ms. B, Hearsay simply wants you to know how nice it was of you to take the time to put your thoughts on paper and then put them in the mail. Many thanks!